Access and Conservation
Make a real difference
Our campaigns our fuelled by donations from members and organisations. All money donated to the Access and Conservation Trust - the BMC's registered charity - goes into facilitating conservation and education projects across England and Wales.
Regional Access Database (RAD)
The BMC's Regional Access Database is the source of the most up to date access advice for climbers in England & Wales. Check it before you head out to a crag to see in there's any bird restrictions, access restrictions, parking requirements and log any updates you find that we need to know about.
ACCESS NEWS
Access News
This June, 13 BMC volunteers completed an 80m section of previously heavily eroded path below Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and cleared vast amounts of invasive Himalayan balsam in the Ogwen Valley in North Wales.
Wild Camping
Wild camping - pitching your tent in a quiet place and leaving no trace - has long been a much-loved part of outdoor adventure. But across most of England and Wales, it remains off-limits, unclear, or unlawful. In 2025, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is working to change that.
Access News
BMC Atlantic Coast Access Rep Iain Peters has, in addition to securing access for climbers in Cornwall, been climbing his own mountain - writing The Corridor, a memoir of his life as a climber, a sport that saved him from horrific childhood trauma.
Access News
This June, 11 BMC volunteers took on a particularly boggy section of path along St Raven's Edge, above Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District.
Contact an access rep
Wondering where to report a rockfall update or a bird nest that isn't listed on RAD? Get in contact with our local area reps.
LATEST ACCESS ARTICLES
Access News
This June, 13 BMC volunteers completed an 80m section of previously heavily eroded path below Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and cleared vast amounts of invasive Himalayan balsam in the Ogwen Valley in North Wales.
Volunteering Events
The Yr Wyddfa Big Clean Up is back again for 2025.
Wild Camping
Wild camping - pitching your tent in a quiet place and leaving no trace - has long been a much-loved part of outdoor adventure. But across most of England and Wales, it remains off-limits, unclear, or unlawful. In 2025, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is working to change that.
Access News
BMC Atlantic Coast Access Rep Iain Peters has, in addition to securing access for climbers in Cornwall, been climbing his own mountain - writing The Corridor, a memoir of his life as a climber, a sport that saved him from horrific childhood trauma.
GET INVOLVED
Check out the full list of access and conservation volunteering opportunities, including footpath mending, sphagnum moss planting, invasive species eradication and seagrass planting days.
CLIMATE ARTICLES
Access News
The BMC's Access & Conservation Trust (ACT) has joined the 1% for the Planet Environmental Partners network.
Access News
Cotswold Outdoor invite you to round up your payment at the till in aid of The Climate Project: Seagrass from the BMC's Access & Conservation Trust until 30 June 2025.
Access News
With the recent spell of hot, dry weather, many of us are eager to get outdoors. But these same conditions bring a serious and growing risk: wildfires.
Access News
BMC volunteers have planted a grand total of 55,845 sphagnum plugs in the Goyt Valley, Peak District, since our Get Stuck In volunteer events started planting this peatland restoring moss, in February 2024.
CAMPAIGNS
From footpath repair, to organised litter picks on the hills, to rallying members to write to their MPs asking for the removal of the sale of disposable BBQs, we have a great range of campaigns to get behind. Find out more about our active campaigns, and why they're making a difference to the British hills you love.
RESOURCES
Rock Climbing News
Castlemartin is on Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (PCNPA) land, and is a popular climbing destination. This area also includes Range West, a military training area with a firing range, so climbers must attend a briefing before accessing the area. The briefing dates have now been published for 2025.
Access Articles
The BMC has voluntary Access Representatives in all of the BMC Areas. The reps offer a first point of contact for climbers or walkers with questions about local access.
Trusts and Charities
Access and Conservation Trust
The BMC's Access and Conservation Trust (ACT) funds vital projects that protect our crags and mountains. It promotes sustainable access to crags, mountains and open countryside through education and conservation projects across Great Britain.
Land and Property Trust
The BMC owns eight crags across England and Wales, and actively supports the management of several others for the benefit of climbers. Some sites have been given to us over the years while others have been purchased or acquired at auction to secure long-term access.
Mountain Heritage Trust
Mountain Heritage Trust is committed to safeguarding the stories, traditions, and legacies woven into these rugged landscapes. It's archive of films, images, books and artefacts echo some of Britain’s most iconic achievements.